On November 3, 2023, Albert "Abbie" Ramirez left our wonderful world to be with his loving bride Gloria Ramirez of 50 years, his oldest son Ronald Albert Ramirez, grandson Scotty Ramirez, brothers Leonard Ramirez, Rick Diaz, Frank Diaz Jr., Johnny Diaz, and Lalo Diaz, sisters Angelina, Maria, and Frances.

Albert is survived by his four sisters, one younger brother Daniel, daughter Teresa Ann Brickner of Missouri, grandson Christopher Brickner, and three great-grandsons living in Morgan Hills, California, son Donald Ramirez (Adele M. Vargas) grandson Ramon Ramirez (Yessie), two great-grandsons Yoshi and Koba of Fresno, California, several great-grandchildren living in Florida along with several nephews and nieces of Santa Maria and Nipomo, California.

Albert Ramirez was born in Santa Barbara, California on September 14, 1926, to Joe Ramirez of Santa Barbara and Annie Diaz of Nipomo. He was the oldest son of 13 children.

Albert enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 during WWII in the Pacific area. He was on board the USS DuPage where he saw combat action when his landing craft was hit by two kamikaze bombs. They were both dropped and only one went off, leaving the other one still laying on the landing craft which was on fire and heating up quickly. He along with three other shipmates was ordered to lift the 500 lb. bomb and throw it off the ship.

When he hit the age of 21, he enlisted in the United States Army.  Albert went into the Airborne Unit where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  He was a member of the American Legion in Okinawa on the Sukran area of the island. While stationed there he was instrumental in the first color guard to ever represent the armed services to honor Ernie Pyle, who was killed during the bombing of the islands. In 1962, he returned to the United States where he was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. While there, Albert and his family were uprooted again and stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  He retired there after serving our country for 21 ½ years in the military.

After retiring, he moved his family back to California and settled in Lompoc for 58 years until his passing on November 3, 2023, at the young age of 97. Albert and his brother Rick Diaz were instrumental in establishing a military color guard unit called "Boots N' Chutes." Together they performed several military burials for our fellow comrades. Albert was very active in the American Legion Vandenberg Post #125 located in the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building.  At the age of 90, Albert made his 105 jump at the Lompoc Skydiving Unit. His son Donald jumped with him to honor his dad.  God bless Airborne!

A visitation will be held at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary Chapel on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 5-8 pm with a vigil service starting at 7 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 17 at 10 am at La Purisima Concepcion Catholic Church in Lompoc.  Interment and military honors will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery